Climate Change Worsens Economic Strain on Women, Disabled, Elderly: Researchers

Climate change is exacerbating economic hardships for vulnerable populations, including women, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly, according to researchers from the Program Kolaborasi untuk Pengetahuan, Inovasi, dan Kemitraan (KONEKSI).

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This phenomenon triggers a decrease in the quantity and quality of fishermen's catches and farmers' yields, leading to economic depression at the family level.

A research workshop and panel discussion in Makassar highlighted that climate change impacts not only the environment but also the economic stability of coastal communities and agricultural sectors. Dr. Welmince Djulete, a researcher from Kupang, explained that declining fish catches and crop yields due to climate phenomena are leading to economic depression at the household level.

The KONEKSI program, a research collaboration between the Indonesian and Australian governments involving Monash University, Universitas Hasanuddin, and community organizations, focused on strengthening climate resilience through alternative economic development. Their research, conducted in Makassar, Maros, Gowa, Kupang, and Lombok, led to the development of the Sustainable Climate Resilience Model through Community Engagement (MoFCREC) for Eastern Indonesia.

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From our research results, the biggest impact of climate change felt by the community is on livelihoods. There is economic pressure in the family because income decreases due to reduced catches or harvests.

A key finding is that climate change's most significant impact on communities is on their livelihoods, reducing income and increasing economic pressure. The research strongly recommends more inclusive budgeting for vulnerable groups. These groups often face barriers accessing formal financial institutions due to perceived non-compliance with banking requirements, leading some, particularly people with disabilities, to resort to informal lenders due to stigma.

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People with disabilities often have difficulty getting credit due to the stigma of not being trusted. As a result, they are forced to run to informal lenders.

To address this, the program facilitated discussions between formal financial institutions and cooperatives to establish inclusive financing mechanisms. Initiatives like Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) and appropriate support schemes aim to provide vulnerable groups in climate-affected areas with safe, affordable, and low-cost financing for alternative businesses. Rosmiati Sain from LBH APIK South Sulawesi noted that economic pressure from climate change also fuels social issues, including debt traps, economic violence within households, and legal problems, often stemming from an inability to repay loans on time.

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Economic difficulties due to declining income can lead to debt traps, economic violence in the household, and legal problems.